1872-74 Richard Owen, PresidentOwen became the first president of Purdue at a time when there were no buildings, faculty, or students. He guided the Morrill Act idea of an "Indiana Agricultural College" into reality. He resigned the day before the first class met.

1874-75 Abraham C. Shortridge, PresidentShortridge was in charge when Purdue matriculated its first students in September 1874. Thirty-nine applicants were admitted, some conditionally. Women were enrolled for the first time the following fall. Shortridge's administration lasted just 18 months due to his failing health.

1876-83 Emerson E. White, PresidentUnder White's leadership, Purdue was set firmly on its course of emphasis on agricultural and "mechanical arts" as mandated by the Morrill Act. White also is remembered for his failed attempt to ban fraternities on campus, which led to his resignation in 1883.

1883-1900 James H. Smart, PresidentSmart was known as "the engineers' president." The Schools of Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering as well as the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences were established during his tenure. During Smart's administration, "Old Gold and Black" were established as the school colors.

1900-21 Winthrop E. Stone, PresidentPurdue's first vice president, Stone became president upon the death of James Smart. He appointed Purdue's first dean of women, Carolyn E. Shoemaker, in 1913. The schools of agriculture and engineering grew rapidly during Stone's tenure, which ended tragically when he was killed in a mountain-climbing accident.

1921-22 Henry W. Marshall, Acting PresidentPublisher of the Lafayette Journal and Courier and a member of the Board of Trustees, Marshall was elected acting president of the University following President Stone's death.

1922-45 Edward C. Elliott, PresidentElliott was responsible for a major building program that saw construction of Ross-Ade Stadium, the Memorial Union, and development of the Purdue University Airport. During his tenure, the Graduate School, the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Purdue Research Foundation were established. Elliott recruited top names to Purdue, including Amelia Earhart as a woman's counselor.

1945-46 Andrey A. Potter, Acting PresidentPurdue's dean of engineering from 1921 to 1953, Potter was considered the "dean of deans" of American engineering education.

1946-71 Frederick L. Hovde, PresidentHovde presided over the University's greatest period of growth, leading to its emergence as a top research university. During his tenure, Purdue saw its greatest enrollment growth, from 5,628 to 25,582 students, its annual budget increased from $12.7 million to $136 million, and the Schools of Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Technology, and Veterinary Medicine were established.

1971-82Arthur G. Hansen, PresidentThe first Purdue president who was also an alumnus, Hansen's administration saw enrollment increase to more than 32,000 and new buildings were constructed for agriculture, psychology, life sciences, and athletics. He supported the establishment of Purdue's first Black Cultural Center.

1982-83 John W. Hicks, Acting PresidentA professor of agricultural economics, Hicks served as Hovde's executive assistant and the University's lobbyist in the Indiana General Assembly after 1955. He also served as executive assistant to presidents Hansen and Beering and retired in 1987 as senior vice president.

1983-2000 Steven C. Beering, PresidentBeering's tenure was marked by sustained growth in academics, facilities, and private support. Enrollment and scholarship set records. More than 20 new buildings were constructed on the West Lafayette campus and 13 others were expanded or renovated. He fostered efforts to make Purdue an international university. His name appears on the diplomas of more than half of the University's living alumni.

2000-2007 Martin C. Jischke, President Under Jischke's leadership, Purdue completed a strategic plan that used data-driven decision-making to enhance Purdue's capacity to carry out its missions in learning, discovery, and engagement. Jischke developed Discovery Park, an interdisciplinary hub that is home to 10 research centers, and he led The Campaign for Purdue, which raised more than $1.7 billion in private donations to the University.

2007-present France Córdova, President Córdova came to West Lafayette in July 2007 as Purdue's 11th president. She had been chancellor of the University of California, Riverside, for five years. She previously served as vice chancellor for research at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and was the first woman to be chief scientist at NASA. In the short time she has been at Purdue, Córdova has brought the University community together to focus on an overarching goal of enhancing student success. She has begun the process of developing a new strategic plan to guide the University. Córdova is committed to continuing Purdue's leadership in state economic development while working to increase its impact on national and global issues.